Rocket Man Only “Getting Better” Says Shaw

Trainer Patrick Shaw insists that the best is yet to come for talented sprinter Rocket Man who recently won the Krisflyer International Sprint in Singapore.

The five-year-old gelding won the Group 1 Krisflyer by five lengths and in doing so claimed his 16th victory from just 20 runs.

“He’s getting older and more mature and stronger,” Shaw said.

“So (he’s) definitely getting better.”

The trainer believes Rocket Man’s biggest asset is his ability to change his speed within just two strides.

“He quickens very well,” Shaw said.

Now that Rocket Man has taken on and conquered Singapore, Shaw will take him to compete further in England.

“Im going over to England next week and (I’ll) maybe run him in the (July Cup),” he said.

Rocket Man’s plans for later in the year haven’t yet been locked in, with his trainer still tossing up between Japan and Australia.

“It’s either going to be Australia if we can do something with quarantine or Japan,” Shaw said.

Australia is offering Rocket Man the chance to compete against Black Caviar in the Group 1 Patinack Farm Classic, which has increased its prize money to $1.2 million in the hope of attracting international talent.

The race on offer in Japan is worth $US2.25 million, however, Shaw maintains the prize money will not dictate their chosen destination.

“It’s not a case of money with him now,” Shaw said.

“It’s more the prestige with him now.”

The trainer would prefer to run Rocket Man on the left-handed track at Flemington.

“The problem with Japan is it is right handed (racing),” he said.

If Rocket Man does come to Australia, his stay would more than likely be a brief one.

“It would obviously be (just) one run,” Shaw said.

And should a race between Black Caviar and Rocket Man be on the cards this September, Shaw believes it would be a “tremendous race” no-matter who won.

“It’s not the case of who’s the fastest,” he said.

Shaw says he does not understand why his claims that Rocket Man could beat Black Caviar have sat sour with Australians, pointing out that they are both Australian bred horses.

“I don’t know why (it caused controversy),” Shaw said.

“They are both Australian.”

Shaw says that while he understands why Moody wouldn’t want to travel Black Caviar, he thinks it will cause a shadow of doubt to hang over her ability.

“She is a mare (and) I wouldn’t like to take chances travelling her around,” he said.

“The only downside is you never know how good they are.

“They always leave a doubt.”

And when it comes to Hay List, Shaw feels that he and Rocket Man are in two different classes.

Author: Sarah Fortnum

Sarah is an avid racing fan who has attended some of the world’s most famous racing events and enjoyed every minute of it. A horse owner herself, she has been working for the horseracing.com.au team for the past three years.